mike carey

Absolutely it was. I chose to use the prescription drug example because it is the opposite of what happens, and has been discussed in these forums. Edited to add: That video and article go a long way to illustrate how a single payer system works, and how much of the US establishment works to reject it. It's a fact that the US system provides excellent care to those who can afford it, and that in a single payer system some may miss out. Or more often have to wait. People going to the US for an MRI doesn't validate or invalidate either system. I went to the doctor and had to pay $125 for the consultation (different system to Canada where everything is free at the point of delivery), but got half of it back from Medicare. A follow-up consultation was 'free', billed directly to Medicare. I have insurance, but if I had a heart attack I would be treated but wouldn't have to pay or use my insurance, the public system would cover it.

'Science the crap out of it', love that.

I had considered replying to him with a simple, 'No'. Of course everyone knows that people in border and near border cities like Niagara, Windsor and Vancouver always go to a neighbouring US city for all their health care and Canadians routinely use mail-order American pharmacies for all their prescription drugs.

Yes it was. I would usually say full stop if I meant the punctuation mark. Thanks for the explanation, I've never talked to my sister or any other women about it. I wasn't being entirely serious in my response, as you may have gathered.

Yes it was. I would usually say full stop if I meant the punctuation mark. Thanks for the explanation, I've never talked to my sister or any other women about it. I wasn't being entirely serious in my response, as you may have gathered.

I just selected it from the phone book.

How on earth did I not notice this when it was posted. I have no experience of menstruating but I've never heard it associated with pleasure, period.

Another bird brain at work...

Not a drag name (and tangents are already flying about here so I feel less guilty),, but I saw a Bloomberg article with a by-line of Lizzy Burden. The article had nothing to do with axes.

Bon anniversaire Mike!

'I talk to the trees, that's why they put me away.'

I would have thought in DC of all places, folk in a restaurant would be used to people dining alone. I've done it unselfconsciously around Du Pont Circle and other areas in the district. In other cities too. I followed an @Eric Hassan recommendation for a nice place in Philly. That said if I'm alone I'm more inclined to treat dining as functional rather than an occasion. Noodles in a Thai restaurant works perfectly.

200+ Wow!

Ah, yes, I did say I needed a better imagination. But yes, so hot.

Wow, maintaining that look, love it.

Indeed. Or a demonstration.

I'm trying and failing to conjure a mental picture of this scene. I need a better imagination.

*Puts up hand* Well, usually anyway. If I cut them indoors I try to gather them up and take them out to the compost heap.

He is amazing, But then I've heard nothing but good things about you, Ryan. Well, I'm feeling left out, When will he call me? (Spoiler: Whenever he wants, we talk when we talk.) Great to see you here, Ace.

Has been for a while.

@tassojunior I think moderation is the way ahead. All the social distancing measures we have used are still relevant, and that includes masks. Can you be more flexible in their application? Yes. Can you ignore them? No! One of the things that has happened in the last year is that all respiratory diseases are down. There have been comments in here. There has been less flu. Many haven't had a winter cold, me included. These measures have stopped or reduced these diseases. Vaccination may well reduce your susceptibility to Covid but we don't know by how much so why would we stop taking other precautions? Don't feel oppressed by it just accept that we need to be careful.

On Australia Day it was a pleasant 33° here in Canberra, the two previous days it had been 38° (100°F). Now, at 9.30pm on Friday night it's just over 18° (c 65°F) and that's the 'warmest' it's been all day as it's rained gently. It must be summer in Canberra. Still, I can't complain, this time last year almost every day was in the high 30s and the air was thick with smoke. Most of our state border closures ended today and there were crowds watching exhibition tennis matches at Memorial Drive in Adelaide as most of the Australian Open players came out of quarantine. I'm having a quiet glass of red as I reflect on my (and our) relative good fortune.

Shhh! Don't tell everyone! Of course I agree, but I'm not blind to it's faults. Unfortunately we're closed at the moment. With any luck we'll be open again some time this year.

I wouldn't say less stupid, we can certainly do stupid. I think it's a combination of rules being set, people following them and enforcement of the rules. When we have been told to stay at home, or wear a mask, we have done so, and there has been enforcement for those who didn't. But to your point, I think Australians are more inclined to accept rules that are applied.